U.S. sends three nuclear bombers to Asia-Pacific

WASHINGTON, March 10 (UPI) -- The United States deployed three B-2 Spirit nuclear bombers to the Asia-Pacific region in support of the U.S. Pacific Command amid growing tensions with North Korea.

The stealth bombers are considered the most advanced bombers the United States has. Adm. Cecil D. Haney, commander of U.S. Strategic Command, said the bombers will be used in training exercises with allied forces to ensure "bomber crews maintain a high state of readiness and crew proficiency."

"Strategic bomber deployments ensure our ability to project power at a time and place of our choosing and develop strong interoperability with our regional allies and partners," Gen. Lori J. Robinson, Pacific Air Forces commander, said. "Recent events demonstrate the continued need to provide consistent and credible air power throughout the Indo-Asia-Pacific region. Our ability to demonstrate credible combat power while training and interoperating with our network of like-minded partner nations is vitally important"

Early Thursday, North Korea fired two short-range ballistic missiles from an area south of Pyongyang toward the sea, east of the South Korean coast. The missile tests happened at the same time thousands of U.S. and South Korean troops were holding joint military drills, the largest since 2010.

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